It’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over season in Virginia, with the launch this week of a public education campaign on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over will also see more law enforcement on Virginia roadways through Labor Day and resume throughout the 2022 winter holiday season.
“Given the rise in alcohol-related crashes, it’s more important than ever that we continue our efforts to emphasize and practice safe driving habits to protect motorists traveling on Virginia’s roadways,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said. “With more people on the roads this Labor Day weekend, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over will work alongside state and local law enforcement partners to remind Virginians to plan a safe ride home if they are drinking.”
Last year in Virginia, 26 percent of all traffic fatalities involved drunk driving, representing a 9.2 percent decrease from 2020. However, the number of alcohol-related crashes in Virginia increased by 1.9 percent, and the injuries caused by those crashes rose by 6 percent in 2021.
Nearly 16,000 people were convicted of a DUI in Virginia in 2021— a 13.4 percent increase from 2020.
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over reflects a shared commitment to stop impaired driving at the source,” said Virginia DMV Acting Commissioner Linda Ford. “The message to Virginians is simple: if you’re old enough to drink, act like it. Do your part to save lives.”
The surround-sound awareness campaign and high-visibility enforcement reminds Virginians to get a safe ride home after drinking or face arrest. The public safety messages of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign and firsthand accounts of trauma care partners, along with law enforcement, play a critical role in helping keep impaired drivers off the road.
“On a daily basis, my colleagues and I work tirelessly in the emergency room, operating room, and intensive care units to save the lives of those directly impacted by alcohol-related crashes,” said Dr. Michel Aboutanos, who serves as medical director of VCU Medical Center’s Level I Trauma Center. “The devastating consequences of impaired driving are felt across Virginia communities, but they are entirely preventable. We must address the problem of alcohol-related crashes at the root and ensure that no one is getting behind the wheel after drinking.”
“The nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program is proud to partner with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles on the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign as we encourage all drivers to plan a safe ride home before a night of drinking,” said Kurt Erickson, president and CEO of the Virginia-based Washington Regional Alcohol Program. “Since the campaign’s start in 2001, we have seen significant progress in mitigating the epidemic that is drunk driving. Alcohol-related crashes have decreased by 40%, fatalities have decreased by 31 percent, and injuries have nearly halved.”
Virginia State Police personnel will work through the holiday as part of Operation CARE – the Crash Awareness Reduction Effort. CARE is a nationwide, state-sponsored traffic safety program that aims to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by impaired driving, speeding, and failing to use occupant restraints.
In addition, 92 Virginia law enforcement agencies will participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through Labor Day. Law enforcement officers will conduct 383 individual saturation patrols and 31 sobriety checkpoints across the Commonwealth.
“Last Labor Day, fatal crashes were half of what they were in 2020,” said Col. Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent. “Because one traffic fatality is too many, I challenge Virginians to achieve zero fatal traffic crashes this holiday weekend. The recipe is easy: ditch distractions, drive sober, comply with posted speed limits, wear your seatbelt and be patient.”
Complementing the enforcement, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is continuing its “Act Like It” public-awareness campaign. The campaign will be accompanied by a new 30-second video that reminds drivers that drinking and driving is irresponsible.
To highlight the role of law enforcement, the traffic safety campaign’s “man-baby” character and his friend are met by a police officer outside a restaurant who commends the two for planning a safe ride home rather than risking a DUI. The campaign video reminds viewers that if you’re old enough to drink, act like it. Don’t risk a DUI.
The latest video can be viewed here.
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Chris Graham
